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Diabetes

Managing your blood sugar for a healthy life

Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease in which your body does not use glucose (sugar) normally. Glucose comes mostly from the carbohydrates (starches and simple sugars) that we eat. Insulin, a hormone made by your pancreas, helps move the glucose into your cells so you have the energy you need. And incretin hormones help keep the whole process in balance.

There are a variety of treatments to lower blood glucose levels to healthier targets. These treatments differ depending upon the type of diabetes you have and how long you have had it. Two methods that are always used are balanced meal planning and physical activity. Other treatments that are often used include oral medications, insulin and incretin medicines.

Another very important way to tell how your diabetes is doing is with a blood test called a Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C or A1C). It is drawn from your arm every three months to give an average of your blood glucose control over the previous three months.